Akira Back
{{Short description|Korean chef}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Akira_Back_square_portrait_2025.jpg
| alt = Chef Akira Back smiling in his restaurant
| caption = Chef Akira Back
| name = Akira Back
| birth_name = Sung Ook Back
| birth_date = 1974
| birth_place = Seoul, South Korea
| nationality = Korean-American
| occupation = Chef, Restaurateur
| notable_works = Akira Back restaurants, ABSteak, Dosa
| awards = Michelin Star for Dosa (Seoul)
| website = [https://www.akiraback.com Official website]
}}
Overview
Akira Back (born Sung Ook Back, 1974) is a Korean-American chef and restaurateur known for his innovative interpretations of Japanese and Korean cuisine. He operates a global portfolio of 28 restaurants, including the Michelin-starred *Dosa* in Seoul.Stapleton, Susan. “Akira Back’s Dosa Earns a Michelin Star.” Eater Vegas. November 10, 2017. [https://vegas.eater.com/2017/11/10/16632460/akira-back-dosa-michelin-star]Davis, Chelsea. “Korean Steakhouse ABSteak by Chef Akira Back Opens in San Francisco.” Forbes. November 5, 2024. [https://www.forbes.com/sites/chelseadavis/2024/11/05/korean-steakhouse-absteak-by-chef-akira-back-opens-in-san-francisco/] His cuisine blends traditional techniques with modern influences, reflecting his adventurous background as a former professional snowboarder.“Restaurant Review: Akira Back at the Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair, London.” Luxury Lifestyle Magazine. [https://www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk/food-and-drink/restaurant-review-akira-back-london-at-the-mandarin-oriental-mayfair-in-london/]
Restaurants
= North America =
- Yellowtail by Akira Back – Las Vegas (Bellagio Hotel & Casino)
- Akira Back – Toronto (Bisha Hotel)
- Akira Back – Delray Beach (The Ray Hotel)
- ABSteak – San Francisco (Union Square)
- ABSteak – Beverly Hills (Beverly Center)
- Lumi Rooftop by Akira Back – San Diego (Gaslamp District)
- Salt & the Cellar by Akira Back – Orlando (Ette Hotel)
- Norikaya – Los Angeles (K-Town)
= South America =
= Europe =
= Middle East =
= Asia =
= Africa =
Early life
Back was born and raised in Seoul, Korea. He took a serious interest in baseball at a young age, but his baseball career ended shortly afterward when his father’s business took the family to the U.S. in 1989, eventually settling in Aspen, Colorado.{{Cite web |title=Chef Akira Back |url=https://www.seouljournal.com/food/item/226-chef-akira-back.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024215347/http://seouljournal.com/food/item/226-chef-akira-back.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Seoul Journal}}
At age 15, Back began his snowboarding career and spent 7 years on the professional snowboarding circuit. He appeared in various extreme sports movies. During the same period, he worked at local Japanese restaurants to supplement his earnings.{{Cite web |last=adminfrenchefs |date=2017-12-15 |title=Discover Korean Michelin star Chef Akira Back on FRENCHEFS |url=https://frenchefs.com/akira-back |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=FRENCHEFS |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2018-08-08 |title=Akira Back on why Dubai is the "perfect choice" for his Middle East expansion |url=https://www.theprochefme.com/akira-back/ |access-date=2023-01-18 |website=The Pro Chef Middle East |language=en-US}} This motivated him to pursue a culinary career. He enrolled at The Art Institute in Colorado to study at the International Culinary School.
Culinary career
File:Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge.jpg
After ending his snowboarding career, Back went on to study at the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Colorado. In 1993, he began his first culinary job working at Kenichi in Aspen as sushi prep cook. He was later recruited to Kenichi in Austin, Texas and then in Kona, Hawaii, where he worked as the opening chef.{{Cite web |title=Akira Back bio |url=https://www.lexusallstarchefclassic.com/akira-back.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Lexus All-Star Chef Classic}}
In 2008, Back debuted Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Featured dishes include Bigeye Tuna Pizza and Maine Lobster Carpaccio.{{Cite web |title=Yellowtail Sushi Hosts Grand Opening Celebration |url=https://www.lasvegaslogue.com/las-vegas-eats/yellowtail-sushi-hosts-grand-opening-celebration |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Las Vegas Logue}}{{Cite web |title=Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge |url=https://bellagio.mgmresorts.com/en/restaurants/yellowtail-japanese-restaurant-lounge.html |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Bellagio}}
In 2017, Back's Dosa earned a Michelin Star. He has opened restaurants under his name, Akira Back, in different countries such as the US, UAE, and South Korea.{{Cite web |last=Tiu |first=Cheryl |title=Celebrity Chef Akira Back Opens His First Florida Restaurant In Delray Beach |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/cheryltiu/2022/03/26/celebrity-chef-akira-back-opens-his-first-florida-restaurant-in-delray-beach/ |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
= Iron Chef =
In 2008, Chef Akira Back appeared on the television show Iron Chef America, competing against Iron Chef Bobby Flay. The episode, titled "Flay vs. Back," featured a culinary battle with spinach as the secret ingredient.{{Cite web |title=Flay vs. Back |url=https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/iron-chef-america/episodes/flay-vs-back |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Food Network}} Chef Back showcased his innovative approach to Asian cuisine, further elevating his profile in the culinary world.{{Cite episode |title=Flay vs. Back |series=Iron Chef America |airdate=2008-03-16 |season=6 |number=7 |network=Food Network}}